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Exodus 15:8

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 15:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The floods stood upright as a heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The floods stood upright as a heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Exodus 15:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5The deeps cover them: They went down into the depths like a stone.
6Thy right hand, O Jehovah, is glorious in power, Thy right hand, O Jehovah, dasheth in pieces the enemy.
7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou overthrowest them that rise up against thee: Thou sendest forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.
8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were piled up, The floods stood upright as a heap; The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.
9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11Who is like unto thee, O Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
← Exodus 15:7Exodus 15:9 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, etc.] From the bottom of the sea, and divided and laid on heaps; and this by a strong east wind, called the blast of the nostrils of the Lord, because as easily brought by him as a man’s breath or wind is drawn through his nostrils; and thus Christ with the breath of his mouth, and the brightness of his coming, will destroy antichrist, (<530208>2 Thessalonians 2:8 <231104> Isaiah 11:4) the floods stood upright as an heap; though a fluid body, yet by the power of Christ were raised up and continued upright, firm and consistent; as things dry and solid may be laid and heaped up on one another, and remain firm and stable; and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“With the deliverance of Israel is associated the development of the national poetry, which finds its first and perfect expression in this magnificent hymn. It was sung by Moses and the people, an expression which evidently points to him as the author. That it was written at the time is an assertion expressly made in the text, and it is supported by the strongest internal evidence. In every age this song gave the tone to the poetry of Israel; especially at great critical epochs of deliverance: and in the book of Revelation Exodus 15:3 it is associated with the final triumph of the Church. The division of the song into three parts is distinctly marked: Exodus 15:1-5; Exodus 15:6-10; Exodus…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“With the blast of thy nostrils - By thine anger: The depths were congealed - Stood still, as if they had been frozen: In the heart of the sea - The midst of it. Exodus 15:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:8 blast (literally nostrils): In other contexts, the same word may be translated “anger.” The hot breath from God’s nose is an image of God’s anger. • your breath: The Hebrew word translated as “breath” (ruakh) is the same one translated as “wind” in 14:21 and as “Spirit” in Gen 1:2. Nature is not God, but God is everywhere at work in nature.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“blast: Exo 14:21; Sa2 22:16; Job 4:9; Isa 11:4, Isa 37:7; Th2 2:8 the floods: Exo 14:22; Psa 78:13; Hab 3:10 Exodus 15:9”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification